Opinion/Analysis

The Minnesota Wild improved to 5-3 with a 5-3 win over the L.A. Kings Thursday night. Marcus Johansson scored a goal and added an assist on the Kirill Kaprizov goal. Star Tribune Sports Columnist Jim Souhan joined me on WJON today. He says it was good to see the contributions from Johansson and the early goals to give the Wild a 3-0 lead in the first period.

The Twins agreed to sign free agent shortstop Andrelton Simmons to a 1-year contract worth an estimated worth $10.5 Million. Star Tribune Sports columnist Jim Souhan joined me on WJON today. He says this signing allows the Twins to improve their defense at shortstop and at 2nd base with Jorge Polanco moving to that position.

Gopher head football coach P.J. Fleck has reported as a candidate for the vacant head football coaching job at the University of Tennessee. Star Tribune Sports Columnist Jim Souhan joined me on WJON today. He says it is possible that Fleck is a candidate there but he thinks Flecks wants to stay in the mid-west and may likes the idea of not having the pressure that would come with a job like Tennessee.

The Timberwolves won Saturday at home against New Orleans 120-110. They did so without top players Karl-Anthony Towns and D'Angelo Russell due to Covid-19 protocols for Towns and due to an injury for Russell. Star Tribune Sports Columnist Jim Souhan joined me on WJON today.

The Vikings are looking for a new Offensive Coordinator for the 6th time in 6 years after Gary Kubiak chose to retire from the position. Star Tribune Sports Columnist Jim Souhan joined me on WJON today. He says Kubiak's offense did what head coach Mike Zimmer wants it to.

The Timberwolves lost 97-96 at home against Orlando despite holding a double-digit lead in the 4th quarter Wednesday night. Star Tribune Sports Columnist Jim Souhan joined me on WJON today. He says the last second shot to win the game for Orlando for Cole Anthony may have been unlucky for Minnesota but coughing up another 4th quarter lead falls on the Wolves ability to close games out.

The Timberwolves are off to a 3-9 start this season but have played without top player Karl-Anthony Towns for about half of their games. Star Tribune Sports Columnist Jim Souhan joined me on WJON today. He says Ryan Saunders may be the right person for the Timberwolves head coaching job but he may not be.

The Minnesota Wild suffered their first loss of the season 1-0 at Anaheim Monday night. Star Tribune Sports Columnist Jim Souhan joined me on WJON today. He says new Wild goaltender Cam Talbot looked better in their one loss Monday night as opposed to their 2 wins in overtime against Los Angeles.

The Gopher men's basketball team improved to 11-4 overall and 4-4 in the Big Ten after a 75-57 win over #7 Michigan Saturday. Star Tribune Sports Columnist Jim Souhan joined me on WJON today. He says the 8 game start to the Big Ten season was gauntlet for the Gophers with 8 ranked opponents in a row.

The Minnesota Wild downed the L.A. Kings in Los Angeles Thursday night to open the season 4-3 in overtime. Rookie Kirill Kaprizov scored the game-winner in overtime for Minnesota. Star Tribune Sports Columnist Jim Souhan joined me on WJON today. He says Kaprizov was the best player on the ice and may be better sooner than expected.